Morris called up to USMNT for shot at Olympics

As expected, Sounders rookie forward Jordan Morris was called up Saturday to the U-23 U.S. Men’s National Team camp ahead of a home-and-away playoff against Colombia that will determine the final berth in the U.S. Olympic Games in Rio Aug. 5-21.

First match is 2 p.m. PT Friday in Barranquilla, Columbia (Fox Sports 1) and the second is March 29 in Frisco, TX (6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN2). After Saturday’s 7 p.m. home game against Vancouver, the Sounders have a schedule break until an April 2 home match against Montreal.

Morris, 21, has nine USMNT appearances and was the first college player to earn a cap since 1995 when the Stanford freshman debuted with the senior team in November 2014. Morris has three goals in five appearances with the U-23 team in Olympic qualifying, including a brace against Canada Jan. 10.

For the Olympics, 14 teams and host Brazil have made the 16-team field, with the U.S.-Colombia winner getting the final berth.

USMNT last reached the Olympic field in 2008, where it did not get out of group stage after a 1-1-1 record.

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